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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Do not be surprised to see Fire/EMS units responding from other jurisdictions today in Prince George's County. In addition to volunteer staffing many neighboring jurisdictions and from the National Capital Region are filling in at Prince George's County Fire/EMS Stations allowing on duty personnel the opportunity to attend Funeral Services for Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant Chris Hill.

In no particular order, the following jurisdictions are assisting us today:

Fredrick County
Anne Arundel County
Baltimore City
Baltimore County
Andrews Air Force Base
Montgomery County
District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department
City of Alexandria
Calvert County
Fairfax County
Arlington County
Howard County
City of Annapolis
Charles County
Naval District Washington
Baltimore Washington Airport
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Chris will receive a Fire Department Line of Duty Death Funeral Service in addition to full military honors administered by the Old Guard of which Chris was a former member of. These ceremonies will take place at the FOP Lodge on Route 202 in Upper Marlboro sometime around 1:00 pm.

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department is deeply appreciative of the tremendous amount of support and assistance we have received. We are forever grateful.

Monday, July 25, 2016

After
a heroic battle with cancer, Christopher Eugene Hill, 46, died at his Hanover,
PA home with his loving wife, Jennifer, by his side. He is survived by his two
devoted children, Amy Grace, 9, and Evan Christopher, 5. He also leaves behind
his Mother, Judith Hill, and all of his brothers and sisters of the Prince George’s
County Fire/EMS Department and IAFF Local 1619.

Chris
dedicated his life to the service of the community and his country. He served
in the United States Army in the 3D Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
Following his service in the Army, Chris continued his service to the community
with the Naval District Washington Fire Department along with volunteering his
time at the Baden Volunteer Fire Department.

In
2002, he joined recruit class #31 of the Prince George's County Career
Fire/EMS. With hard work and dedication, he rose through the ranks and finished
his career as a Lieutenant at Station 823 in Forestville.

Chris
cherished his wife and his children. With numerous back yard soccer games, RV
adventures and family movie nights, the Hill’s enjoyed their time together.
Even after Chris’ unfortunate diagnosis, He felt being close to family was most
important for Jen and the kids. He then began the process of moving from
Maryland to Pennsylvania. Chris enjoyed a short few months in their new home
before passing away.

Prince
George’s County Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant Christopher E. Hill will receive
full military honors and a line of duty death funeral service. His form of cancer is considered occupational
and service related.

Viewing
will be Tuesday, July 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the Borgwardt Funeral Home
located at 4400 Powder Mill Road in Beltsville.

Funeral
Services will be held on Wednesday, July 27, at 11:00 am at the Riverdale
Baptist Church, 1177 Largo Road in Upper Marlboro.

After
church services, a brief and limited vehicle procession will take Chris by his last duty station at the Forestville Fire/EMS Station 823. The procession
will then proceed to the FOP Lodge located at 2905 Old Largo Road in Upper
Marlboro where military honors will be administered.

Mourning bands may be worn horizontally across badges for 30 days until August 21, 2016.

PGFD Emblem Mourning Stripe

All Department vehicles bearing the emblem of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department shall be marked with a temporary black mourning stripe. This black stripe should be 3/4 inches in width, diagonally from top left corner to bottom right corner of emblem.

Attire

For the viewing, all on-duty station personnel must wear their County issued work uniform (short-sleeve button down blue shirt and blue pants). For the funeral, all personnel must wear a Class A uniform. Due to limited availability, white gloves will not be worn. Personnel unable to obtain a full Class A uniform must wear appropriate business attire (collared shirt, slacks (no jeans), and dress shoes (no sneakers). Dresses are appropriate for females.

Coordination of all apparatus has been previously arranged through the Special Events Unit and coordination of on-duty personnel for visitation has been arranged through the Emergency Services Command. All other requests and questions should be relayed through the proper chain-of-command.

Mourning bands may be worn horizontally across badges for 30 days until August 21, 2016.

PGFD Emblem Mourning Stripe

All Department vehicles bearing the emblem of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department shall be marked with a temporary black mourning stripe. This black stripe should be 3/4 inches in width, diagonally from top left corner to bottom right corner of emblem.

Attire

For the viewing, all on-duty station personnel must wear their County issued work uniform (short-sleeve button down blue shirt and blue pants). For the funeral, all personnel must wear a Class A uniform. Due to limited availability, white gloves will not be worn. Personnel unable to obtain a full Class A uniform must wear appropriate business attire (collared shirt, slacks (no jeans), and dress shoes (no sneakers). Dresses are appropriate for females.

Coordination of all apparatus has been previously arranged through the Special Events Unit and coordination of on-duty personnel for visitation has been arranged through the Emergency Services Command. All other requests and questions should be relayed through the proper chain-of-command.

The Prince
George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department is concerned about
this weekend’s weather forecast.In
particular high heat and humidity will make conditions dangerous.The National Weather Service has stated, “HEAT
INDICES AROUND 105 DEGREES ARE LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOONS OF SATURDAY THROUGH
MONDAY...ESPECIALLY EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS.”

We are highly
recommending that if you don’t absolutely have to be outdoors to stay indoors
in an air conditioned environment. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors on a regular basis to make sure thy are staying cool. If you find yourself or others where air conditioning is not available consider visiting a cooling center, a shopping mall, a movie theatre or any place of public assembly that has air conditioning.

With
high heat and humidity upon us in Prince George’s County the men and women of
your Fire/EMS Department want you to stay informed and take precautions to stay
safe and healthy. Temperatures nearing or above 100, combined with high
humidity will create a dangerous situation for children, the elderly, and those
who suffer from chronic heart or lung conditions. Dangers also are extended to anyone that are outdoors for extended periods of time and those involved in physical or strenuous activity.

Your
best protection is to stay well hydrated. Sweat, or water, allows heat to
evaporate from your skin’s surface. If you become dehydrated, it is more
difficult for your body to maintain an acceptable temperature. The best thing
to drink is water. Gatorade or other sports drinks are also good. Avoid drinks
containing alcohol or caffeine. Limit heavy exertion when high levels of heat
and humidity are present. High humidity levels make it more difficult for your
body to dissipate heat.

HEAT
RELATED ILLNESSES:

Any
heat related illnesses will require a victim to be removed from the hot
environment to an air-conditioned or cool/shaded area. Heat exhaustion is a
milder form of heatstroke that may develop due to a combination of several days
with high temperatures and dehydration in an individual. Signs of heat
exhaustion include extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, or headache.
Victims may also vomit or faint. Heat exhaustion is treated with plenty of
liquids and rest in a cool, shaded area. If the persons condition does not
show signs of improvement call 911. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of
heatstroke that may develop due to a combination of several days with high temperatures
and dehydration in an individual. Signs of heat exhaustion include extreme
weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, or headache. Victims may also vomit or faint.
Heat exhaustion is treated with plenty of liquids and rest in a cool, shaded
area. If the persons condition does not show signs of improvement call
911.

Heatstroke
is a serious illness characterized by a body temperature greater than 105
degrees. Symptoms may include “dry” red skin, convulsions, disorientation,
delirium and coma. Onset of heatstroke can be rapid: a person can go from
feeling apparently well to a seriously ill condition within minutes. Your body
has lost the ability to sweat and naturally “cool-off” – this is a true medical
emergency. Treatment of heatstroke involves the rapid lowering of
body temperature, using a cool bath, bags of ice or wet towels. Place ice bags
in each armpit, groin and back of the neck. A heatstroke victim should be
kept in a cool area; emergency medical care should be obtained by dialing
911.

Stay Informed - Stay Ready - Stay Safe

Monitor weather forecast throughout weekend on TV, radio and Internet.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of Firefighter/Paramedic Lieutenant Chris Hill.

Chris's passing is a deep loss for us all. The insidious cancer that he lived with for the last 18 months shows no remorse and leaves little solace for any of us.

I had the honor of promoting Chris to Lieutenant on August 12, 2012, and my wife and I have carried the honor and duty as we have helped Chris and his family through this time of turmoil.

Staff and union officials are with the Hill family currently, and will be returning to the county soon. I want to thank the West Manheim and Penn Township Pennsylvania Fire Departments for standing guard over Chris and his family until we could arrive.

Please continue to keep Chris's wife Jenn and his children Amy and Evan along with the entire Hill family in your thoughts and prayers.

As additional information is available it will be communicated through email and through the union. Coordination for the Department will be through the Special Events Unit

One firefighter was injured and 10 residents will be
displaced as a result of a District Heights apartment fire today.At around 1:30 pm, Thursday, July 21, Prince
George’s County Firefighters were alerted to an apartment fire at 1942 Rochelle
Avenue.

Firefighters arrived to find a garden style apartment
building with fire showing from a first floor apartment.Firefighters searched the building for
occupants and quickly extinguished the fire.All searches were negative.

Fire Investigators determined the cause of the fire to be
accidental.Maintenance personnel
performing work on pipes inside the apartment ignited the fire.Fire loss is estimated at $150,000.

LODD April 15, 2016

Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant John "Skillet" Ulmschneider

Donate to Sparky Fire Fund

Tragically firefighters will find pets that have been injured in home fires. Sometimes owners are not availiable to bring their pet to a emergency vet or may not have the resources to afford medical care. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and the Anne Arundel County SPCA have teamed up and created a fund whereas medical care for the pet would be covered in part or in full.
Please consider donating today. Please designate your donation to the Sparky Fire Fund.
Click here to donate - designate Sparky Fire Fund